Dec. 01--The Bulls improved to 10-5 with their home victory over the Spurs. Here are three observations.
Defense keeps coming up big in the closing moments of big games
For all the talk about the Bulls' sputtering offense, which is legitimate, defense continues to be the backbone for critical moments of big victories.
Add Pau Gasol's block on LaMarcus Aldridge, Jimmy Butler's strong contest of Kawhi Leonard's 3-pointer and Derrick Rose's partial block of Tony Parker's 3-pointer to the list that also includes Gasol and Butler closing out the season-opening victory over the Cavaliers with big plays and Butler snuffing Paul George's game-winning attempt of the home victory over the Pacers.
"Defense wins championships," Gasol said.
Offensive balance continues to highlight victories over top-tier teams
The Bulls placed five players in double figures and seven players scored at least eight points. Rose had six assists as the Bulls assisted on 25 of 37 field goals. The halfcourt offense still lacks pop too often. But at least the Bulls are trying to share the ball.
This balance included strong games from Tony Snell, who reached double figures for the first time since Nov. 9, and Doug McDermott, who needs to play more or get more shots. McDermott is one of the few Bulls who not only is a legitimate threat from 3-point range but moves without the ball with a purpose on a consistent basis.
"We've got a lot of great pros who have been around a long time who we are comfortable putting in games," coach Fred Hoiberg said. "We talked about in preseason. It would be very difficult to settle on a rotation and it still is because we have guys that may not play a lot one night who come in and make big plays for us on another night."
Joakim Noah had his best game of the season
Beyond his numbers, which featured eight points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, Noah played with emotion and passion and kept alive several possessions with his activity on the offensive boards.
Noah talked about accepting his bench role afterward.
"I'm not going to lie and say there hasn't been a lot going on this year. There's been a lot of adversity for me," Noah said. "I want to play the whole game. I never want to come out. But I understand that this is my role now and I have to accept it and be the best that I can with what I have."
